Machine for making metal binding strips



Oct. 17, 1933. WAKEHELD 1,931,420

MACHINE FOR MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS Filed Sept. 29, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 17, 1933. w. WAKEFIELD 1,931,420

MACHINE FOR MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS Filed Sept. 29, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet? I: o if v -w o K7 g3 E? w i I: 6

Oct. 17, 1933. w. WAKEFIELD 1,931,420

MACHINE FOR MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS Filed Sept. 29, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 17, 1933. w WAKEFIELD 1,931,420

MACHINE FOR MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS Filed Sept. 29, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 KG & m M

Oct. 17, 1933. w wAKEFlELD 1,931,420

MACHINE FOR MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS Filed Sept. 29, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 17 1933. w. WAKEFIELD MACHINE FOR MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 29, 1931 Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 1,931,420 I MACHINE roa MAKING METAL BINDING STRIPS William Wakefield, Richmond, near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, assignor to Overseas Ma chinery Company Proprietary Limited, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Application September '29, 1931, Serial No.

565,900, and in Australia October 22, 1930 32 cla ms.

This invention has reference to an improved machine for manufacturing metal articles of angular and/or corrugated shapes such as the metal binding strips for boxes, cases or the like and has been devised to providea machine that will be positive and automatic in operation,

whereby during the passage of a flat band when completed, the said case or crate will have.

greater strength and less weight and bulk than the cases or crates at present in vogue.

By a binding strip is meant a metal member formed with teeth or serrations on one or both edges, which strip is bent to form a channel section with the teeth projecting inwardly to lie substantially parallel with a plain sideof the strip or both penetrating and engaging portions of each strip may be provided with teeth if so desired, in which case, .the respective rows of teeth or projections will lie apart and parallel or substantially parallel to each other.

It is also within the ambit of the present invention to make flat I binding strips with teeth at each edge or in the'longitudinal centre thereof and while angle strips are particularly for use on the corners of cases or'crates, the flat strips will be for the purpose of binding cases and crates about the body portion.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that. metal binding strips of any desiredlength and form may be made and will, in a sequence of co-related operations and from a metal strip, simultaneously manufacture two similarly shapedmetal binding strips of equivalent lengths which, if necessary, may be passed to a box, case or the like making machine, wherein the teeth of the strips will be caused to enter the wood or fabric from which the case is made. I

This invention has many objects and salient features of which the following are the most formation tothe metal strip prior to the cutting pertinent (a) Means between die and tool members and feed-in rollers of the machine whereby lengths of blank strip metal are fed into the machine and are positioned to be acted upon by the al-' ternate operations of dies and tools,- permitting of a wide variation of control meansto suit the various shapes and lengths of binding strips for the particular shape and dimensions of boxes or cases to which the finished strips are to be attached. I

(b) The provision of means within the machine to cut or shape fastening tangs on the strip and spaced'mitres for angularly folding the strips whereby they will accommodate the.

corners of the box or case, and then subjectingthe strip to the actionrof means for simultaneously cutting and'folding teeth in such a manner: that the predetermined length of strip is formed into two separate andcorresponding metal strips which are ejected from the machine as the finished product.

(0) Means operating the strip of metal into predeterminedlengths,

such lengths being subjected to the alternate sponding shaped strips of equivalent length and.

in the machine to out shape and additional means are provided to' fold the outside of the strips downwardly simultaneously with folding or turning the teeth downwardly, whereby the ejected'finished prodnot of the machine comprises the two channelled, shaped and toothed metal strips 'shapedirom the single metal strip delivered into the machine.

-(d) The provision of a master cam to control the feed-in of .the predetermined lengths of. metal strip, the contour of the cam being such that, inconjunction with the dies and tools of the machine, it governs the finished characteristics of the metal strip constituting, the product of the machine so that a variation in the shape of the master cam effects a variation in the lengths of the finished metal strips.

(e) A toothed drum disposed and operating in a sub-press or like means, said drum being rotatable under gear control which is operatively connected with the gearing of the master cam, the toothed drum reciprocating in unison with the sub-press to operate alternately a nestof dies which-are adapted to impart the required no t press to complete a finished strip, so that the rotation of the gearing is identical to impart the requisite feed in to the metal strips to position same in relation'to the nest of dies which are operated byjthe-toothed drum in conjunction with the subpress whereby all the die operations are in vsynchronism with the feeding action of the master cam and its associated gearing.

(g) The provision of means to rotate the toothed drum in unison with the timing gear of the master cam, said means comprising a ratchet co-axial with the said drum and operable by means of a bell crank, the other end of which connects .a similar timing ratchet. adapted to rotate the master cam which operates in conjunction with a stop member formed on the end of the actuating mechanism of a ratchet adapted to operate the feed-in rollers, the function of the master cam being thatit controls'thedegree of each stepped rotation of the feed-in rollers whereby the requisite lengths of metal strip are positioned on the die plate in synchronization with the operations of the toothed drum and associated dies and tools.

But in order to more readily understand the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a view in front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, and

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the machine. I

Figure 4 is a front elevation partly in section of the discharge rollers. v

.Figure 5 is a central section of the sub-press and associated nest of dies which are illustrated in elevation. 7

Figure 6 is a plan of the die base plate in which the associated female dies are formed. Figure '7 is a side elevationof the nest of dies. Figure 81s a detail of the feed-in rollers.

Figure '9 is a side elevation partly in section of the master cam and ratchet mechanism, and

Figure 10 is a front elevation partly in section thereof.

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the teeth cutting and folding dies.

Figure 12 is a plan of the base plate 'illustrat ing the female dies for cutting and folding the teeth;

Figure 13 is a detail of the pilot punch operating in conjunction withthe teeth cutting dies illustrated in Figures 11 and12.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary end elevation of the mechanism illus rated in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a side elevation partly in-section of the teeth folding die. v

Figure 16 is a similar View of the teeth cutting die. 7 V p igure 17 17 172 1? and 1'! respectively, illustrate the progressive steps of cutting and folding the teeth and the finished product comprising the metal strips. Figure 18 is a fragmentary plan of a section of a metal'strip embodying the initialteeth slots. Figure 19 is -a similar View illustrating the manner in which the teeth cutting dies operate in'relation to the previously formed slots to form the teeth from the metal strip.

gure 26is an end elevation of the toothed drum with its operative connections dotted.

Figure 21 is a front elevation of one of the finished metal strips manufactured by the ma-' chine, and

folding of the teeth and sides of the separate strips.

Figure 23a is an end elevation of Figure 23. a Figure 24.- is a plan illustrating the original strip before being divided during the teeth cutting operations.

Figure 24a. is an end elevation of Figure 24.

Figure 25 is a detail of the mitre fold.

Figure 26 is a detail illustrating the means of connecting the ends of the strips when in the operative position.

According to this invention the machine for manufacturing channelled shaped and toothed metal binding strips for cases, crates or the like is provided with a main frame for supporting the mechanism comprising spaced vertical plates 5 and 6 which near the top are fitted with bearings 7 and 8 through which the main driving shaft 9 is disposed and supported, the outer ends of the shaft carrying flywheels 10 and 11, one of which receives a belt for driving the machine.

At a convenient working height the machine is provided with a longitudinal bed 12 upon which the co-related and aligning die plates are mounted over which the metal strip is passed to effect the manufacture of the metal binding strips. I

The strip of metal a may be fed into the machine from a roll or any other suitable assembly supply of band or hoop iron, and is first passed into a threat 13 disposed at the front of and in alignment with upper and lower tensioned feeding rollers 14 and 15 mounted on spindles l6 and 17, the inner ends of whichare fitted with pinicns 18 and 19 in mesh for driving purposes, the upper roller 14 being yieldably mounted by means of its journals 20 which are disposed-in guideways 21 formed in the bearings 22, a spring or springs 23 being positionedbeplates 24 of each bearing 22 whereby the rollers are maintained in tension and consequently in I feeding relationship to receive and deliver the metal strip into the machine.

5 The outer end of the lower roller spindle has mounted thereon a feeding ratchet 25 which is disposed in a reciprocating casing 26 carrying the pawl 27 adapted to actuate the ratchet 25, the said casing 25 having connectedthereto a link 28 depending fronia pivoted link system 29, the top of which is pivotally connected to the lower end of a spring loaded and telescopicconnecting rod 30; thecasing 31 of which at its upper end is mounted on a crank 32 carried on the outer end of the main shaft 9.

Reciprocating motion is imparted to the link system 29 from the main shaft 9 through the telescopic connecting rod 30 While reciprocating motion is imparted to the actuating link 28 The circumference of the rollers is directly relative to the feeding ratchet25 so that each stepped rotation thereof delivers a predetermined length of metal strip between the said rollerson to the initial die plate 34 disposed in the bed of the machine.

This initial die plate 34 is adapted to cooperate with a nest of dies which are illustrated in Figures 1, 5 and '7, being in this instance three in all which comprise the left hand tang fastening dies 37, the central mitre dies 36 and the right hand tang fastening dies 35.

Each of the dies 35, 36, 37 are carried on independently operable and spaced plates 38, 39 and 40 respectively which are mounted on spaced spindles 41 having springs 42 thereon to yieldably support the said plates, the tops of which are formed with heads 43, 44 and 45' Operating in conjunction with the nest of dies is a toothed drum 46 disposedand operating in a sub-press 47, the casing 47a of which is -slid ably mounted in a guideway 48 attached to the adjacentvertical frame plate 5, the said casing 47a being suspended on a depending spindle 49 connected with the casing 50 of an eccentric 51 carried on the main shaft 9 of .the machine.

As in accordance with accepted practice the sub-press 4'7 reciprocates under the action of the eccentric 51 and thereby carries with it the toothed drum 46 the teeth of which are arranged in spaced circumferential relationship according tothe particular characteristics of the finished binding strips, each drum tooth 53 being vertically disposed above'and in alignment with one of the heads 43, 44 and 45 of the dies and as illustrated there is one tooth 53 on the drum to each tang fastening die and two spaced teeth 53 acting in combination with the mitre dies, to effect the necessary spacing cuts in the metal strip for angular folding purposes as will be hereinafter described.

The toothed drum 46 is rotated by means of a timing ratchet 55 co-axially mounted therewith on theoutside of the s'ubpress casing, the said ratchet 55 being mounted within a reciprocating casing 56 which carries the pawl 5'7, the casing connecting the upper end 58 of a bell.

crank 59, pivoted as at 60 to the roller bearing frame 22, the outer and lower end of the bell crank 59 pivotally engaging with a shackle 61 connected to a reciprocatingjcasing 62 operating a pawl 62a in engagement with a timing ratchet 63 disposed and operating within the saidcasing 62, the said ratchet 63 having an equal number of teeth to that of the drum ratchet 55, the ratchet 63 being mounted on a spindle 64 co-axial with and adjacent to a master cam 65, the spindle 64 being supported in the socketed extension 66 as illustrated in Fig:

ure 2. v I

The toothed drum 46 is rotated by its ratchet 55 under the action of the bell crank 59 which is actuated by the vertical reciprocation of the sub-press 47 with which the ratchet 55 moves vertically in unison, so that the action of the bell crank 59 imparts an axial reciprocation to et 56, the bell crank 59 imparts a corresponding stepped or intermittent rotation to this timing ratchet 63 which thereby'rotates the master cam 65, whereby the rotation of the timing ratchet 63 and the master cam is positively equivalent to and in synchronization with the stepped rota-z tion of the ratchet 56 and toothed drum 46.

The mastercam is designedso that each of its undulatory surfaces represents a predetermined number of teeth on the roller ratchet 25 and in this instance the cam is provided with four concentric and undulatory surfaces '68 as illustrated more particularly in Figures 9 and 10,"the peripheral length of each' concentric surface 68 determining the number of teeth to be selected on the roller ratchet 25, the actuating link 28 at'its connection with the ratchet casing 26 is formed with an outwardly projecting stop mem- 28 in rotating the roller ratchet 25, its downward movement is limited and varied by means, of the stop member 70 riding on the concentric surfaces 68 of the cam, so that the further the link descends the greater the number of teeth v stepped around the ratchet 25 by itscasing .26

and pawl, so that as the stop member 70 rides around the inner concentric, cam surfaces 63a a greater number of teeth are stepped around the ratchet 25 than-when the stop '10 is riding on the outer concentricsurfaces 68.

' In this manner the master cam 65controls the feed-in of the metal strip and although the roller ratchet 25 actually imparts the stepped rotation to the rollers 14 and 15, the deg'reejof stepped rotation or angular displacement of this feeding ratchet 25 is controlled by thecam 65 as it limits and varies the downward travel of the actuating link 28 (operated .'by the, spring loaded connecting rod as previously described) by means of the stop member 70 riding on the cam surfaces 68 and 6812 which correspondingly limits theswing or reciprocation of the ratchet casing 26 so that it merely turns through an are sufficient to'step the exact number ,of teeth on the roller ratchet 25 according toflthe particular-surface 68 of the cam and as the circumfer- "ence of the feeding rollers is designed in-relation to the feeding'or roller ratchet 25 on the vides the necessary synchronized positioning of each length of strip on the dieplate -34 below one of the dies 35, 36', 31accordingtb' the operation to' be performed 2 and simultaneously with the length of strip becoming stationary on the .die plate below the particular die, the subpress 47' continues its downward movement while the aligning tooth on the drum 46 assumes a vertical position and'impinges onthe head the sub-press'47 causes thetooth toforce the said die downwardly to stamp out the desired shape on the metal strip by co operating with the corresponding shape on the die plate, the positive and synchronized positioning of the metal strip inpreparation for the" die shaping action ensures that the said shapes are formed on the strip at the predetermined positions and also ensures. the correct spacing between each shape so formed along the entire length of the metal strip.

for the toothed drum'46 and master cam 65 with the sub press is, such that the number of strokes by thepress to complete the binding 150 strips for a box or crate is equal to the number V The relationship between the timing ratchetsof teeth in each of the co-related timing ratchets.

This associated timing relationship eifects the synchronism between the operations of the toothed drum, sub-press and master cam and input rollers sothat each die of the nest is operated alternately in the timed sequence with the intermittent lengths of metal strip positioned on the die plate, the teeth on the drum being positioned in circumferential relationship to'assume a vertical position and impinge on the head of the, respective die synchronously with the positioning of the intermittent lengths of fect a corresponding variation in-thefeed-in of 25.

the lengths of metal strip and in the sequence of operations by the nest ofdies whereby the master cam and toothed drum are designed to determine the finished characteristics and lengths of the binding strips as manufactured by the machine according to the size of box, case or crate to'which the binding strips are to be attached.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate more particularly the operative relationship between the toothed drum 46 and the nest of dies 35, 36 and 37 which are operable in the manner previously described andyieldably mounted ateaoh side on the spaced spring wound spindles 41 erected on the initial die plate 34. a

The left hand tang fastening die 35 is fitted on its underside witha series of depending tools shaped to cooperate with the female dies 81 The strip of metal a; is shown dotted in'position on the die plate 34 so that when any of the respective dies '35, 36 operate the shape remaining is of a pattern representing the formation of the metal between the slots 81 of the female dies. q

As illustrated in Figures 23 and 24 the tools of this die filstamp out the centre opening 83, side tang cuts 84 and adjacent" initre cuts 85 for folding-the shaped tangs 86, the retaining strips 8'? for-breakin off the tank portion of the strip after the completion of the whole strip for purposes, the spacedtang fastening holes and the are cuts 89 on the edge of the body portion 90 of the strip, the said fastening holes 88, being adapted to receive the edges 86a of the tangs 86 when the said tangs are in the folded and fastened position illustrated in Figure 26.

The two retaining strips 87 maintain the strip in a complete length as illustrated until the actual assembly of a box or crate.

Themitre die 36 has operating in conjunction therewith two teeth 53 onthe drum 46 so that inits sequence the said initre die 36 operates twice before either of the left or right hand dies 35 and 37 may operate, the operation of the said mitre die 36 being adapted to stamp out the spaced folding or mitre cuts 92 on each edge of the metal strip a?, the spacing of the said cuts 92 being determined according to'the sizes of the bo or case to which the finished strips are to be applied and the said strips are folded or bent ,at-right angles at the mitre cuts 92 as I illustrated in Figure 25. e

The aligning spaced and depending tools 93 of the mitre die are correspondingly shaped-to the female mitre dies 94 formed in the die plate 34 while a central tool co-operates with the middle die 95 to form a central hole or opening 96 in the metal strip in transverse alignment with the mitre edge cuts as illustrated in Figures 23 and 24.

The right'hand tang fastening die 37 is of a similar construction to the left hand die 35 previously described but whereas the left hand die 35 on forming the fastening tangs does not sever the. metal strip, this right hand die 3'? during the continuous operation of the machine, forms the fastening tangs on the incoming length ofjstrip while simultaneously cutting off the previously shaped and finished length of metal strip for passing to the teeth cutting, and folding dies.

The right hand die 37 has a similar series of tools 99 depending fromthe floating plate 40 but the tools are reversely arranged tothose of the left hand die, to co-operate with the female dies 100, formed in the die plate 34 in longitudinal alignment with the other female dies previously described. I V

In this instance, the central tool 16001, which is shaped to correspond with the central female die 101 is formed at the outer end with narrow cutting oif extensioned edges 102 which are adapted to pass into and through the similarly shaped portions 104 of the central female die 101, the cutting off portions of the die being of sufiicient width to sever the metal strip while cutting the tangs. g

The depending tools 99 stamp out the edge mitre cut 106 for folding the tangs 107-, the effective portions 108 of which are stamped out to enterwhen folded into the fastening holes such as 88 in the body portion ofthe strip.

Therefore the tang forming and cutting off:

tools 99 and 101 respectively function to form the tangs 107 and out off the previously finished stripias illustrated at110) the latter end of tangs 86 and retaining strips 8'7, after which the mitre dies '36 function twice to eiiect the mitre folding cuts 92 and then the right hand i die 37 operates once more and cuts off the metal strip and simultaneously forms the fastening tangs on the incoming length of metal strip.

The strip of metal after being subjected to the initial action of the fastening dies, is delivered on to a die'plate 115 positioned on the bed of the machin in alignment with the initial die plate 34, the said die plate 115 being disframe plates 5 and 6 guideways 1'18 and 119' attachedto the vertical frame plates 5 and 6, the centre press being suspended on a vertical spindle 120 in engagement with the casing 121 of an eccentric 122a carried on the main shaft 9 of the machine, whereby the said press 117 reciprocates vertically within the guideways 118 and 119 under the action of the eccentric 122, while the bed 116 of the press is slidably supported on spaced ver-' tical spindles 122 positioned on the bed of the machine. 1 r

The die plate 115 is divided into three sections 124, 125 and 126, each of which is detachably mounted therein and is vertically disposed below a co-operative die tool carried in the bed 116 of the centre press 117, the previously shaped strip being first subjected to theaction of a slot cutting die or tool 127-which is adapted to punch or stamp out ,a series of 'inclined equally spaced slots along the longitudinal centre of the metal strip. a i 1 This slot cutting tool 127 is formedwith a predetermined number of equally spaced and inclined teeth 128, depending from a block 129 attached to the bed of, the press 117, these teeth 128 being of an equal inclined width and are in vertical alignment with corresponding shaped and inclined slots 130 formed in the foremost die platesection 124, which comprises the female section of this particular die. w

The teeth 128 of the die .tool 127 are rectangular in cross section to correspond to the shape of slots 130 whereby on the previously shaped,

manner in which the teeth 128 of the die tool 127 form the series of equally spaced inclined slots or perforations along the centre of the metal strip a, the slots b being substantially in the form of a parallelogram and are equally spaced and inclined as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19. I r

Disposed and operating in the bed of the press 117 adjacent to the slot cutting tool 127 is a combined teeth cutting and edge folding die 132.

The teeth cutting section 132a of this die 132 comprises a predetermined number of teeth 133 which are similarly shaped and equally spaced 1 as the teeth 128 in the slot cutting tool- 127 described, but in this tool there is one tooth less, the purpose of which will be hereinafter.

formed in the die plate section 125, the said slots being angular in shape and oppositely inclined to the slots 130 in the adjacent female section 124 of the die plate as illustratedin Figure 12.

The metalstrip a after having the series of inclined and equally spaced slots 1) punched or stamped out alongits longitudinal centre, in its next intermittent movement is delivered on to the adjacent'die plate section 125 so thatthe metal sections 0 between the previously formed slots 1) are vertically disposed below the teeth Asithe inclination of'the previously, formed slots b is equal and reverse to the inclination of the die teeth 133, each tooth 133 of the die, when in operation; jdescends on to a metal space or section 0 between two adjacent; slots b. and strikes diagonally whereby each tooth 133 strikes diagonally in alignment flush with the top of one slot b and with the bottom of the adjacent slot 1) so that, by the teeth 133 punching out diagonal slots e in the-metal 1b between the previously formed inclined slots,

19, correspondingly shaped but oppositely disposed teeth d are formedQeach edge of the Iinitial slots b forming one tapered side of they It is a salient feature that during,- and bythe teeth cutting operation described, the original metal strip a, is simultaneously'divided along its longitudinal centre into two similar and independent metal strips g and h shaped in the manner previously described with their inner adjacent edges formed with rows of correspond ingly shaped but' oppositely disposed pointed teeth d, this result being achieved by means of the inclined relationship between the initial slots 1) and the teeth 133, whereby thediagonal cutting action of the said teeth 133, shapes the pointed teeth (1 in opposite formation and of equal pitch, while simultaneously forming the two rows of teeth thereby dividing the strip a into the two separate and similarly shaped strips (Kg)! (h)- I The teeth cutting section 132a of the die 132 operates through a pressure plate 135a seatingv between the outer folding' surfaces 136 of the die andnormally flush with the bottom thereof, the said plate 135a being suspendedon rods 137, depending from the head138 of the teeth cutting die 132a, the 'rods 137 being under'spring control as at 139 so that when the die descends, 1,

the pressure plate 135abears on the metal strip a during the teeth cutting action described, the teeth 133 extending through aligning slots 141 in the pressure platew135a during the said cutting, which simultaneous'with' the folding l1 edges 136 of thefdie contact with the overlapping edges of the metal strip at each side thereof and foldor turn the said, edges downwardly.

As illustrated in Figure 16, the width of.-the

female, section of the die plate-being such 11:

die 132, the previously shaped'metalfstrip a is divided into two similar metal strips of angular cross section, with the upper edges provided with rows' of equally spaced and pointed teeth arranged in opposite relationship'to each other.- The pressure plate aensures that the metalfstrips g and h remain on the diepplate section a 125 during the disengagement of the teeth 133 and folding edges 136 of the die 132 from the metal strip after the completion of the respective operations described.

As previously described, there isone more tooth in the slot cutting tool 127 thanin the ditional slot as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 and in doing so correctly position the previous series of angular slots b in relation to the teeth cutting die 132a, whereby the metal sec-,v tions between'the said slotswill be positively below the teeth 133 of the die 132a to ensure that the diagonal out between the said metal between the slots is achieved without any mutilationand consequent waste of 'metal.

The pilot punch is mounted on a rocking arm 141 carried on a transverse spindle 142, the

inner end of which has fitted thereon a bell crank 142a, the upper end of said bell crank 142a engaging with an actuating arm 143 connected as at 143a to the bed of the centre press 117. I

The pilot punch 146 is operated through the members described to engage and disengage with the 'slot in the metal strip, the said punch extending upwardly through the aligning female die slot 130 to engage with the additional slot 5 in the metal strip "a in the correct timing in synchronization with the operation of the centre press and slot cutting die 127.

After the two corresponding strips "9 and h have been shaped into. an angular formation with the upper edges thereof formed with the rows of pointed teeth, the said strips 9 and h are moved in the next intermittent step on to the adjacent female die section 126,

which is channelled as at 145, illustrated moreparticularly inrFigures Hand 15, the sides 146 of the channelled formation being disposed on the die plate section 126 in alignment with the folding sides of the adjacent section 125 so that the angular sides of the strips g and fh ride thereon, with the toothed surfaces bridging the gap in the channel 145 of this section 126 of the die plate.

Operating in conjunction with this channelled section die 126 of the die plate is a teeth folding die 150 which is disposed in the bed of the press 117 adjacent the teeth cutting die 132a the said die 150 being provided with an internal rectangularfolding ledge 151 adapted to engage in a free sliding fit within the channel 145 so that when the'press 117 descends, the .foldingledge 151 of the die impinges on the rows of teeth (1 l of the metal strips fo and h andfolds the ing the disengagement-of the co-operating dies.

The impetus of theincoming lengths of metal stripis sufficient to pass the completed strips g and hfin their inverted channelled shape 6 below a guide roller 155 to the discharge rollers 156 and 157, the upper roller 156 being tensioned by means of springs 158 disposed between the slidable spindle blocks 159 and the tops 160 of the roller bearings 161-,the spindle. blocks 159 being slidably disposed in the guideways 162 under the tension ofthe springs 158 as illustrated in Figure 4. 1

The lower roller 157 is in frictional contact with the upper roller 156, the said rollers being driven in synchronization with the intermittent motion of the feed rollers 14 and 15 by means of a horizontal connecting rod 164 pivotally mounted to the casing 26 of the feeding ratchet 25, said rod 164 extending across the machine to pivotally connect the casing 165 of a ratchet 166 mounted on the outer end of the spindle 167 of the lower discharge roller 157, whereby during each intermittent operation of the feed rollers 14 and 15 a corresponding intermittent motion is imparted to the discharge rollers 156, 157 through the members described.

The lower discharge roller 157 is formed with spaced circumferential grooves 168 around the face thereof in alignment with the channelled sides 146 of the folding die 150 whereby on the completion of the channelled strips g and h they are passed under the guide roller 155 to be discharged between'the rollers 156, 157, each strip passing over the metal surface 169 adjacent each spaced circumferential groove 163, the intermittent rotation of the saidrollers passing the said strips therebetween into a discharge chute 170 attached to roller bearings 161 as illustrated in Figure 4. 7

Figures 21 to 26 inclusive illustrate in detail the finished characteristicsof the dual strips 0 and h manufactured simultaneously by the machine in the series of operations previously described in their sequence and it will be obvious that although the operations of the respective tang fastening dies and teeth forming dies have been described in detail as separate operations, during the continuous Working of the machine, all the dies and tools are operating at once in their correct timing sequence so that the strips after being subjected to the tang fastening dies described are then subjected to the teeth forming and folding dies, while the mitre spacing and folding dies are operating to determine the size and length of the strips, after which the cutting off dies sever the strip and the strip then continues its intermittent stepped movements to the teeth cutting and the folding dies for completion, the central openings in the 11;,

metal strips being provided to eliminate the formation of the pointed teeth, at the mitre folding and spacing cuts and the end tang fas-' tening portions so as not to restrict the folding and fastening arrangement of the metal strips during assembly as illustrated in Figures 25 and A machine constructed; arranged and oprat ing in the manner previously described to manu-g facture dualzmetal binding 'strips of any length and of any finished characteristics should be of great utility and it is not meant to be arbiitrarily confined to the hereindescribed details but desire it to be understood that various improvements and modifications may be embodied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. j j

' What I claim asmy invention and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1.,A machine formanufacturing' metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, comprising means to deliver predetermined lengths of metal stripintothe machine, means to form right and left hand fastening tangs and a plurality of spaced mitre cuts in thelength of strip, means to simultaneously cut and fold rows of oppositely disposed teeth on said strip to form two separate and correspondingly shaped toothed binding strips from one length of metal strip, means to sever the said strips after completion and means to eject the said strips from the machine.

2. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, comprising means to deliver predetermined lengths of metal strip into the machine, variable timing and control means to position the lengths of metal strip in relation to means for forming right and left hand fastening tangs and spaced mitre cuts for folding purposes, means for formingrows of oppositely disposed teeth along the centre of the metal strip to divide the said strip into dual strips, and means to eject the dual strips from the machine product. c

3. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together .box, crate or like sections, comprising means to deliver apr'edetermined length of metal strip into the machine, coop crating dies and tools, between which said means position said strip, means to alternately operate the said tools in timed sequence to respectively form right and left hand fastening tangs and spacedmitre cuts in the said strip, independently operable means for cutting pointed and oppositely disposed teeth along the centre of the previously shaped strip to form dual strips,

means to fold the marginal outer edges of the strips downwardly, means to fold the pointed teeth downwardly at right angles to the upper edges of the strips, and means to eject the strips from the machine in the form of inverted channelled shaped strips; r

4. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a sub-press, a toothed drum disposed and operating in said sub-press, timing mechanism to control the rotation of "said drum, a mastercam and gearing cooperating with said timing mechanism and thus regulating the feedin of metal strip to the machine, a nest of dies and tools disposed below the toothed drum to receive lengths of metalstrip, the rotation and reciprocation of the toothed drum in unison with the sub-press being adapted to alternately operate the toolsto impartthe requisite shape to the metal strips, and meansto form rows of oppositely disposed and pointed teeth along the centre of the strips.

5. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a sub-press,a toothed drum disposed and operating in said sub-press, a ratchet co-axially mounted with said drum, a bell crank connected to the ratchet, a similar ratchet having an equivalent number of teeth, to which the other end of said bell crank is connected, a master cam co-axially mounted with, the lastmentioned ratchet, feed-in rollers fo'r the metal strip, a time ratchet operating in conjunction with said feed rollers, actuating mechanism geared to themain shaft of the machine, and to said. timing ratchet and connected with the latter, and a stop memberformed on the end of said, actuating mechanism, said stop member as its finished 7 being adapted-to engage with the undulato'ry surface of themaster cam to determine the degree of stepped rotation of the feed-in rollers.

6. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like secone end in engagement with the ratchet, a spring V loaded and telescopic connecting rod, to ,which the upper end of said linkage is connected, a casing for said connecting rod,-a main shaft for the machine, to which :saidcasing is geared, a stop member mounted to the lower link of said linkage, which is pivoted to said timing ratchet casing, amaster'cam, the said stop member being adapted to engage with the'undulatory face of said'master cam, a ratchetmounted co-axially-,- with said/cam, a bell crank pivoted to said ratchet, a corresponding ratchet, and a toothed drum, mounted coaxially, a sub-press; and a nest of independently operable dies and tools supported in the bed of the machine, and above which is, disposed said sub-press, said toothed drum being disposed and operating in said subpress. 7

'7. In a machine for manufacturing metalstrips for binding together, box, crate or like sections, a master campav timing ratchet -co-- axial with and operating said cam, abell crank pivoted to said ratchet, a sub-press, a toothed drum disposed andoperating in "said sub-press "and having a spindle, a ratchet corresponding to said first ratchet and mounted on said spindle, feed-in rollers for the strips, a, toothed ratchet mounted with said rollers, said master cam having a stepped undulatory surface with each concentric surface'adapted to represent a predetermined number, of teeth on said lastmentioned ratchet, which has a casing, a pivoted link attached to the casing of said lastmentioned ratchet, a stop member on said: link to engage with the undulatory surface of the master cam,,a main shaft for the machine, and means to actuate the said link in areci'procatingcmann'er from said main shaft of the ma chine whereby the stop membervaries and limits the movement; of said link and the inter alternately operating said nest of tools and dies; timing mechanism to controlv the rotation of the drumxin synchronism with the delivery of predetermined-lengths of metal strip between the dies 'andtools, which are adapted to form a plurality of spaced'mitre cuts, fastening tangs, and retaining slots in the said strip; and means to form rows of pointed and oppositely disposed teeth along the centre of the previously shaped 1 strip to divide the said strip into two correspondingly shaped strips.

I 9. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a nestof dies, each of which has a set of tools, a female die plate positioned below the nest of dies in the bed of the machine, a subpress above the tools, a toothed drum disposed and operating in'said sub-press, a head portion on each set of tools positioned respectively in vertical alignment with the spaced circumferential teeth onthe drum, and means to time heads of the tools and punch out corresponding shapes in a length of metal strip disposed between the said tools and the female die plate. 10. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, including a nest of dies having tools, a sub-- press, a toothed drum disposed and operating in said sub-press, said tools functioning alternately and in timed sequence under the control of said toothed drum, a female die plate positioned below the nest of dies, means to deliver predetermined lengths of metal strip on to the female die plate, the tools in operation being adapted to cooperate with the female die plate, to shape the metalstrip with right and left hand fastening tangs and spaced mitre cuts, andmeans to cut off the finished metal'strip in predetermined lengths.

11. In a machine for' manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a sub-press, a toothed drum co-operating therewith, a nest of dies operated by said drum, a head portion on each die, a series of shaped tools depending from each head por-- tion, means for independently and yieldably mounting each die, a female die plate positioned below the nest of dies, the said die plate having openings similar in shape and in alignment withthe respective tools, and means to deliver predetermined lengths of metal strip between the said die plate and nest of dies.

12. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, .crate or like sections, a toothed drum, a nest of dies, each of which is provided with a head portion in vertical alignment with one or 'more'teeth on said toothed drum, a sub-press casing in which said drum is disposed, a timing ratchet mounted co-axially with the toothed drum exteriorly' of said sub-press casing, means for yieldably and independently mounting each die, feed-in rollers for the strips, a die plate positioned in the bed of the machine in transverse alignment with said feed-in rollers, and a series of tools depending from the head portions of said dies in vertical alignment with co operative female openings formed in said die .plate.

13.. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections,

' 14. A machine for manufacturing metal strips forbinding togetherbox, crate or like sections, comprising a main shaft, a centre press driven in vertical reciprocating manner from the main shaft, a series of co-acting die tools disposed in v the bed of the press, and a'female die plate positioned below the said tools, the initial tool of the series being adapted in operation to punch outa series of paced and inclined slots along the centre of a previously shaped length ofmetal strip. 1 I j 15. A machine for manufacturing: metal strips for binding together box, crate or likesections,

' comprising a centre press having a series of. die

tools in the bed thereof, one of which (501m prises a slot-cutting. tool, a block on said tool, having a predetermined number of spaced and inclined teeth depending therefrom, a female die plate positioned below the die tools having formed therein a series of similarly inclined spaced slots in vertical alignment with the teeth of the slot-cutting die, saidteeth'in operation being adapted to cooperate with the inclined slots to punch out a series of spaced inclined slots along the centre of a length of previously shaped strip. 7

16. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together, box, crate orlike sections, comprising asub-press, a tooth-cutting tool and a slot-cutting tool mounted adjacent each other in the bed of said sub-press, cooperating slot cutting and tooth-cutting dies, said tooth-cutting die having a predetermined number of spaced depending and inclined teeth, the inclination of said teeth being opposite to the teeth of the slot-cutting tool to operate diagonally across. the metal spaces between slots previously formed in a length of metal strip by the said slot-cutting tool, whereby the toothcutting-die forms rows of pointed and oppositely disposed teeth along the centre of the strip, and means associated with the tooth-cutting die to simultaneously fold down a marginal edge at each side of the strip. I

17. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crateor like sections as claimed in claim 16 in which the tooth-cutting die, adapted to form rows of pointed and oppositely disposed teeth along the centre of the length of metal strip, thereby divides the strip into two dual strips. v

18. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a centre press, a slot-cutting tool and z a tooth-cutting tool, carried on said press adja cent to, each other, equally spaced and inclined teeth depending from the slot-cutting tool, simcutting die to simultaneously fold down a mar-,

ginal edge on each side of the strip.

19. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together, box, crate or like sections,

according to claim 16 in which saidtooth-cutting die has a predetermined number of equally spaced and inclined teeth, the inclination ofwhich is opposite to the teeth of the slot-cutting die, each tooth of the tooth-cutting die in operation being adapted to strike diagonally across the metal spaces between inclined slots previously formed in a length of metal strips by the slot-cutting die and thereby punch out a diagonal slot between each slot in, the metal strip, the'inclination of the siots being such that the remaining metal is formed into two rows of oppositely disposed and pointed teeth and the strip is divided into two dual strips.

20. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate-or like 7 sections, a mainsnaft, a centre press having a bed and driven in a reciprocating manner from said shaft, a slot-cutting tool in the bed of the press, a tooth-cutting tool in said press,

w s; to said slot-cutting 001, a block in the ,tooth cutting tool having a predetermined numthe teeth'cutting operation thereen,,means to rigidly retain themetal strip inposition on the female die during the teeth ;forming and cutting operations, and means associated with the cen ,tre press to fold down the previously formed rows of teeth to eject the metalstrips from the machine in the form of inverted channelled shaped strips having inner depending toothed .surfaces, spaced mitre cuts, and fastening tangs for unitingthe strips 1 when in an assembled 21. In amachine for manufacturing metal istrips for binding together, box, crate or like sections, a centre press, a slot-cutting tool, a combined tooth-cutting and edge-folding tool, a tooth-folding tool, all mounted in said press, and a female die plate disposed below the centre press and in alignment with the tools mounted therein, the'effective face of the die for binding together box, crate or like sections,

' according to claim 21 in which said female die plate has a width such that a marginal overlap of metal strip is, formed at each side thereof,

whereby the folding edges of the combined tooth-cutting and edge-folding tool will impinge on the overlapping edges of the strip and fold the same downwardly against the sides of the die plate. I

23. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together-box, crate 'or like sections, a centre press, a slot-cutting tool, mounted therein, a tooth-cutting and. edge-folding cutting tool and a tooth-folding tool, also mounted therein, a female die plate disposed below said tools, a channelled portion in said die plate below the tooth-folding tool to receive dual strips having rows of I oppositely disposed and pointed teeth, formed therein by said toothcutting tool, the folding tool being adapted to co-operate with the channelled portion to fold the said teeth downwardly against the internal, channelled sides of the die plate, andmeans to eject the dual strips from the machine;

24. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a' centre press, a tooth-folding tool mounted therein, a channelledshap'ed female die plate disposed in the bed of the machine below the folding tool, a central ledge in said tool adapted to enter the channelled recess of the die plate to fold down-oppositely disposed and pointed teeth formed on dual metal strips positioned on the die plate, means to rigidly retain the said strips in position on thesurface of the die during the teeth folding operation, and

means to eject, the dual; strips" from the I 25. In a machine for manufacturing. metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, .a sub-press, a toothed drum,',a nest'of dies and tools independently-operable.by means of said toothed drum operating; in conjunction with said. subp-presaa female-dieplate-disposed below the nest of dies and to ols,'the diescbeing adapted to formright and left handlfastening .tangs and spaced mitre; cuts in a predetermined length of metal strip, ,a central depending with a transverse, extended portion equal in width to the metal strip on the die'for forming the right hand, fastening tang; the die platein alignment withsaid tool having a corresponding'opening; to co-operate with ,said depending tool, to sever the said strip after ithasfbeen and left hand fastening tangs and spaced 'mitre cuts in a predetermined length of metalstri'p. andmeans on the dieforforming the left hand fastening, tang, to form a. retaining ;-stripfto maintain the tangs temporarily integral with the major portion of the strip.

27. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections including a pilot punch, a slot-cutting tool, operating in conjunction therewith, a female die plate disposed below the slot-cutting tool, spaced inclined slots in the die plate in aligm ment with the inclined teeth ofsaid cutting tool, a tooth-cutting tool cooperating with said slot cutting tool, a female die plate cooperating with said tooth-cutting tool, the pilot punch being timed to extend through one of the slots in the die plate to register with an additional inclined slot formed in a length of. metal strip positioned on thesaid first-mentioned die plate to positively position inclined slots formed in the metal strip by the slot-cutting tool on said second-mentioned female die plate disposed below said tooth-cutting tool. 7

28. A machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections according to claim27 comprising a transverse connected to the bell crank and to the bed of a center press fortransmitting to the pilot punch the motion of the center press.

29. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, tensioned discharge rollers, correlated dies and tools mounted in alignment therewith, a guide roller disposed in front of the discharge rollers, the upper of which is yieldably mounted, the lower roller being provided with a series of spaced circumferential grooves through which. finished strips may be ejected into a delivery chute, feed-in rollers, and means to intermit-' tently operate the discharge rollers in timed sequence withsaid feed-in rollers. I

30. In a machine for manufacturing metal strips for binding together box, crate or like sections, a ratchet, a casing therefor, tensioned 160 I 1 tea , initial female die plate disposed below the nest Ieed-in- -rollers intermittently rotated by said ratchet, an actuating arm pivoted to the ca'sing of said ratchet; a system of links pivoted to the upper end of the actuating arm, a main shaft, a spring loaded telescopic plunger pivoted to said links anddriven from the'main shaft, a master cam driven by'said main shaft, a stop member formed onthe lower end of the actuating arm to engage at intervals with the undulatory suriace 'of said mastercam, a timing-ratchet having a casing and co-axially -mounted with the master cam, an actuating'link pivoted-to the casing 'of the timingratchet, a' similar'timing ratchet, also having a' casing, .a bell crank pivoted to the upper end'of the actuating link and to'the casing of said similar timing ratchet, asub-press, a housing therefor; a toothed drum .co' axially mounted with saidfirst-mentioned timing ratchet and disposed'in said housing of the sub-press, means to operatethe sub-press in a vertical reciprocation from the main shaft, a

'series of spaced circumferentially arranged teeth on said'drum, a nest of dies and tools positioned below the toothed drum, a head portion on each die in alignment with at least one tooth 'on-the drum, feed-in rollers for the metal strips, an

of dies and tools to receive predetermined lengths of metal strip delivered thereon by the reed-in rollers, a second -female die plate positioned-in alignment with the initial die plate: acentre press mounted above said la st-n'ientioned' die plate, and having a bed, means to operate the centre press in a vertical reciprocation jromthe main shaft, a slot-cutting tool, a combined toothcutting and edgefolding tool, and a tooth-fold ing tool carried in the bed of the centre press, tensioned discharge rollers in alignment with the female die plates, and means to intermittently operate the said discharge-rollers in synchronism with the feedin' rollers. p

r 31. A machine for manufacturing a metal strip for binding together box, crate, or like sections, comprising means for feeding a strip, means for forming the strip into a substantially channel said last-mentioned strips, teeth depending from one flange of the channel and a plain portion on the other'flange thereof. a

' WILLIAM WA EFI D. 

